I have a 99 F-150 two wheel drive 4.2L V6, manual 5 speed trans. A few times recently when I first start it up like this morning it runs harsh like its missing at idle. After about 30-45 seconds it smooths out. I replaced the air filter recently and not too far back I had the plug wires changed with new ones. I have not really looked at the trouble shooting section in my Chiltons book. But I was wondering if someone else on here has had this problem. My truck has just under 173K on it. Another thing I have noticed is that some times I feel a dragging like the brakes are rubbing or something is resisting. Is it possible the transmission is getting ready to go out? Clutch? Worn engine? And last question, is the 4.2 V6 still available from the factory if I need a new engine? I've been told by a few shops that that engine can not be rebuilt and you have to buy a new one from Ford in the crate at $4,000. Kind of sounds like horse hockey to me that you can't have your engine rebuilt by a shop? thanks

 

Yesterday while moving my truck to work on another vehicle the Service Engine Soon light came on. I have a small OBD II reader which proved to be useless. I connected it, it came on, no codes were shown. And it ended with the message "Link Error". A waste of money. The last thing I did was put in a new air filter and add a bottle of Lucas to the gas. My miles per gallon has been getting worse. Anyone have a similar problem?

 

Sounds like piston rings are shot.when there cold it'll run like **** cuz air is gettin between them and so ur gonna loose compression.as it warms up they expand making it air tight in te cylinder. But compression will still be lost. Do u have any oil loss?

 

Yes a few weeks back I did have to add about a quart of oil. So you think the rings are shot huh? Back to my original question, I had called around the Sacramento area a few years back and most shops said they do not rebuild the 4.2. So if it needs new rings can't just do a standard rebuild? Have to buy an entire engine? What the hell? That can't be right.

 

If ur goin thru oil ya its deff ur rings. Have u ran a cleaner in the oil system? Sometimes stuff gets in the rings and it won't make a tight seal. I'm not sure a rebuild. U don't have to buy a new engine. Just take the top off, pull out the pistons and replace the seals. It's a project but do able. I go thru oil like crazy too so I'm sure my rings are shot. But it runs and drive great so I'm fine with it

 

My truck is weird, It started up and ran rough a few times and the "Service Engine Soon" light came on. Yesterday when I drove my kid to school less than a mile away the light did not come on? I'm planning on taking it in and having it checked out.